Mechanism which enables accessories to receive power when attached to a vehicle bay divider

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are presented herein for a vehicle bay divider comprising a plurality of powered through openings configured to interface with a locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism affixes an accessory to the vehicle bay divider enabling a powered connection between at least one of the through openings and the powered accessory. Each of the through openings comprises at least one interface configured to provide power through physical leads or wirelessly. The locking mechanism may comprise tabs or pegs configured to be received by the through openings and secure the powered accessory to the vehicle bay divider. The locking mechanism may comprise a push-push assembly and linkages that cause the tabs or pegs to translate in opposing direction into engaged and disengaged positions.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure is directed to a locking mechanism for securingan accessory to a vehicle bay divider, and, more particularly, a lockingmechanism configured to interface with a powered vehicle bay divider tosecure and provide power to an accessory affixed to the vehicle baydivider using the mechanism.

SUMMARY

Accessories, or tools, interfacing with a wall storage panel lack ameans to receive power when engaged with a feature of the panel.Additionally, wall storage panels are configured to provide unsecuredstorage in that an accessory may be hung from the panel, however theaccessory is not affixed to the panel. The present disclosure isdirected to a vehicle bay divider, a pegboard, a panel, and/or a vehiclebay divider configured to provide power to accessories and tools whichinterface with features of the vehicle bay divider. Additionally, thedisclosure is also directed to a locking mechanism which provides asecure connection between an accessory, or tool, and a vehicle baydivider while also providing a powered coupling between the vehicle baydivider and the accessory, or tool, such that the accessory, or tool,can function when affixed to the vehicle bay divider via the lockingmechanism.

In some embodiments, a vehicle bay divider of the present disclosurecomprises a plurality of through openings in the vehicle bay divider andat least one interface configured to provide electric power to arespective through opening of the plurality of through openings. Thethrough openings (e.g., slots) of the vehicle bay divider may beconfigured to provide power wirelessly to the accessory affixed to thevehicle bay divider via the locking mechanism. In some embodiments, thethrough openings or slots of the vehicle bay divider comprise leads orcontacts to which the locking mechanism can be secured and areconfigured to provide power to accessories secured to the vehicle baydivider.

In some embodiments, the plurality of through openings comprises a firstsubset of the plurality of through openings and a second subset of theplurality of through openings. Each of the first and second subsets ofthe plurality of openings are arranged at respective different spacings.Additionally, each of the plurality of through openings are structuredto receive a securing feature of a mountable accessory. Each throughopening of the first subset of the plurality of through openingscomprises an elongated opening oriented vertically. Each through openingof the second subset of the plurality of through openings comprises anelongated opening oriented horizontally.

In some embodiments, an edge of the vehicle bay divider comprises atleast one mounting anchor configured to affix the vehicle bay divider toa mounting surface. The at least one mounting anchor may comprise aclamping mechanism along the at least one edge configured to interfacewith an extension of the mounting surface. In some embodiments, the atleast one mounting anchor comprises at least one mechanical couplingconfigured to connect an electronic lead of the vehicle bay divider to acomplementary electronic lead in the mounting surface. The vehicle baydivider may further comprise an energy storage apparatus configured tostore an electric charge to provide electric power to each of theplurality of through openings.

In some embodiments, the at least one interface comprises a firstelectrical lead arranged on a first side of each of the plurality ofthrough openings and a second electrical lead arranged on a second sideof each of the plurality of through openings. A first polarity of thefirst electrical lead is different from a second polarity of the secondelectrical lead. In some embodiments, a first opening of the pluralityof through openings comprises a first electrical feature and a secondopening of the plurality of through openings comprises a secondelectrical feature. Additionally, a first polarity of the firstelectrical feature is different from a second polarity of the secondelectrical feature. The first opening and the second opening areconfigured to interface with a pair of electrical leads from a samemountable apparatus to provide electrical power to the mountableapparatus.

In some embodiments, the disclosure is directed to a system comprising amountable apparatus (e.g., a tool or accessory), and a surface (e.g., avehicle bay divider, a pegboard, and/or a panel) comprising at least onethrough opening configured to receive the mountable apparatus, whereinthe at least one through opening comprises a pair of elongated sidesconfigured to couple with at least one mounting peg of the mountableapparatus. The mountable apparatus comprises at least one electricalfeature configured to receive electrical power from the at least onethrough opening, and the mountable apparatus may be configured toreceive an electrical charge wirelessly when arranged in or near the atleast one through opening. The at least one through opening comprises aninterface between the at least one through opening and the mountableapparatus structured to withstand a weight of the mountable apparatusand vibrational motion transmitted via the mountable apparatus. In someembodiments, the system further comprises an energy storage apparatusconfigured to store an electric charge to provide electric power to theat least one through opening.

In some embodiments, the disclosure is directed to a vehicle comprisingat least one storage bay comprising a mounting surface, and a panelcomprising at least one through opening, wherein the at least onethrough opening is configured to provide power to at least one mountableaccessory.

In some embodiments, the disclosure is directed to a locking mechanismcomprising a push-push assembly arranged to actuate along a first axis.The locking mechanism further comprises a first linkage and a secondlinkage coupled to the push-push assembly. Additionally, a first slidingpeg and a second sliding peg respectively coupled to the first linkageand the second linkage, wherein actuation of the push-push assemblycauses the first sliding peg and the second sliding peg to translate inopposing directions, along a second axis different from the first axis,into an engaged position. In some embodiments, the locking mechanismfurther comprises a first spring and a second spring respectivelycoupled to the first sliding peg and the second sliding peg andconfigured to apply spring forces to the first sliding base and thesecond sliding base to cause the first sliding peg and the secondsliding peg to translate towards each other into a disengaged position.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises two pegs that arespring loaded to affix the accessory using the locking mechanism to athrough opening of the vehicle bay divider. The spring loaded pegs areconfigured to prevent motion along X, Y, and Z axes. Additionally, thetwo pegs prevent rotation of the accessory. In some embodiments, theability of the pegs to prevent relative motion of an accessory to avehicle bay divider is particularly useful for when the vehicle baydivider is being transported or is arranged to receive accessories in amobile work area (e.g., in a vehicle bay). A push-push assembly may beutilized to change the locking mechanism of the accessory from adisengaged or moveable configuration to an engaged or lockedconfiguration when interfacing with a through opening of a vehicle baydivider. In some embodiments, a push-push assembly is incorporated toallow the accessory to remain in a locked or unlocked state relative toa through opening in the vehicle bay divider.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a first anchor anda second anchor, wherein the first and second sliding pegs areconfigured to be translated towards the first and second anchor,respectively, in response to actuation of the push-push assembly.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second peg of the lockingmechanism is arranged to extend through an interior surface of anaccessory housing and actuate such that each of the first and second pegcontact an edge of at least one through opening in a vehicle bay dividerarranged to receive the first and second peg. Each of the first andsecond anchors comprises an extension from a material comprising theaccessory housing. Additionally, the first linkage is configured torotate about a first pivot point corresponding to the first sliding pegand the second linkage is configured to rotate about a second pivotpoint corresponding to the second sliding peg. The first sliding peg andthe second sliding peg are spaced within an accessory housing accordingto a spacing of through openings in a complementary vehicle bay divider.

In some embodiments, at least one guide rod is arranged within theaccessory housing and configured to counteract compression achieved viathe push-push assembly via at least one spring arranged concentric to acentral axis of the at least one guide rod, either external to an outerdiameter of a housing of the at least one guide rod or internal to aninner diameter of a housing of the at least one guide rod. A returnspring interfacing with the guide rod is configured to counteract thecompression.

In some embodiments, the push-push assembly is coupled to a guide rodconfigured to return the push-push assembly to a disengaged position,wherein the disengaged position corresponds to each of the firstlinkage, the second linkage, the first sliding peg, and the secondsliding peg being translated away from an interface on a vehicle baydivider opening and translated towards a center axis of the push-pushassembly.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises at least one rotarytab of a shape substantially similar to the vehicle bay divider throughopening, wherein the at least one rotary tab can be rotated from aposition where a main extension of the at least one rotary tab issubstantially aligned to the vehicle bay divider through opening to aposition wherein the main extension is perpendicular to the vehicle baydivider through opening. The at least one rotary tab is configured toprevent movement, including rotation, of the accessory relative to thevehicle bay divider when the at least one rotary tab is arranged in anengaged position relative to the vehicle bay divider through opening.Raised edges may be incorporated into a rear surface of the vehicle baydivider to guide the at least one rotary tab into the perpendicularorientation. Additionally, one or more of the rotary tabs may beincorporated into a single accessory, wherein each of the one or morerotary tabs are coupled to one or more push-push-assembly and actuatedvia at least one linkage assembly.

In some embodiments, the disclosure is directed to a mountable accessorycomprising an accessory housing and a locking mechanism. The lockingmechanism comprises a push-push assembly, and at least two opposinglinkages coupled to opposing sides of the push-push assembly, whereineach of the at least two opposing linkages is coupled to a first slidingpeg and a second sliding peg, respectively, each comprising respectivetabs to interface with an edge of a through opening. In someembodiments, each of the tabs is configured to rotate perpendicular toan elongated edge of the through when the push-push assembly is actuatedalong a first axis.

In some embodiments, the accessory housing is configured to receive anaccessory apparatus. The accessory housing is affixed to an accessorycomprising one of a securing mechanism, a camera, a light, anenvironment condition controller, or a tool.

In some embodiments, the push-push assembly is configured to actuatealong a first axis perpendicular to an axis corresponding to translationof the at least two opposing linkages. The locking mechanism furthercomprises at least two springs, arranged between each of the at leasttwo opposing linkages and each of the first and second base, configuredto return each of the at least two opposing linkages to an initialposition after being displaced in opposing directions. At least oneguide rod is configured to counteract compression of the push-pushassembly. Additionally, the housing comprises mounting featuresconfigured to receive and secure an accessory apparatus.

In some embodiments, the disclosure is directed to a mounting assemblycomprising a vehicle bay divider and a mountable apparatus. Themountable apparatus comprises an accessory coupled to a lockingmechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a push-push assembly arrangedto actuate along a first axis, and at least two opposing latching tabscoupled via at least two linkages to the push-push assembly and arrangedto actuate along a second axis.

In some embodiments, the accessories secured to the vehicle bay dividercomprise monitoring apparatuses for the environment surrounding thevehicle bay divider. For example, a camera may be secured to the vehiclebay divider. The camera may be communicably coupled to at least one of avehicle display system or a remote mobile device such that a user canview the status of items or pets within an enclosure with the vehiclebay divider. Additional pet related accessories may include a fooddispenser controllable by a remote device or a vehicle interface, awater dispenser controllable by the remote device or the vehicleinterface, and an environment condition controlling apparatus such as afan, dehumidifier, or heater. The vehicle bay divider may be arranged toseparate pets and cargo in a vehicle bay, for example. Each separatedarea may comprise different accessories for monitoring and controllingdifferent conditions, depending on whether the separated area is usedfor cargo or for a pet. Cargo related accessories may include hooks,chargers, and cameras which may be communicably coupled (e.g., forcontrolling the accessory or monitoring the cargo area) to at least oneof a remote mobile device or a vehicle interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the disclosure may beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary vehicle bay divider comprising a pluralityof through openings with at least one interface configured to provideelectric power to each of the plurality of through openings, inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary vehicle bay divider comprising a first and asecond subset of through openings, in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary vehicle bay divider comprising a throughopening comprising features to interface with pegs of a mountableaccessory and structural elements for supporting the mountableaccessory, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary system comprising a vehiclebay divider configured to provide electrical power and a mountableaccessory configured to receive the electrical power provided via thevehicle bay divider, in accordance some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary electronic feature embedded in a peg of amountable accessory; in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a vehicle bay divider comprising three rows of throughopenings, each of the openings comprising electrical features ofdifferent polarities, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary vehicle comprising a front vehicle bay and arear vehicle bay, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary mountable apparatus comprising an exemplarylocking mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts exemplary pegs and mountable apparatuses configured toengage with a through opening in a vehicle bay divider via the depictedexemplary rotatable pegs, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary vehicle bay with an exemplary vehicle baydivider arranged within the exemplary vehicle bay, in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods and systems are provided herein for a locking mechanismconfigured to interface with a vehicle bay divider comprising aplurality of powered through openings, wherein the locking mechanismaffixes an accessory to the vehicle bay divider enabling a poweredconnection between at least one of the through openings and the poweredaccessory.

The methods and/or any instructions for performing any of theembodiments discussed herein may be encoded on computer-readable media.Computer-readable media includes any media capable of storing data. Thecomputer-readable media may be transitory, including, but not limitedto, propagating electrical or electromagnetic signals, or may benon-transitory including, but not limited to, volatile and non-volatilecomputer memory or storage devices such as a hard disk, floppy disk, USBdrive, DVD, CD, media cards, register memory, processor caches, RandomAccess Memory (RAM), etc.

FIG. 1 depicts vehicle bay divider 102 comprising through openings 104with at least one of electrical interface 106A and 106B, where each ofelectrical interface 106A and 106B are configured to provide electricpower to each of through openings 104, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Vehicle bay divider 102 may comprisefewer or additional elements or features than those depicted in FIG. 1 .Additionally, vehicle bay divider 102 may be incorporated into, mayinterface with, and/or may comprise any or all the elements depicted in,or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 2-10 .

Vehicle bay divider 102 comprises multiple subsets of through openings104, each subset with different spacings and orientations along thesurface of vehicle bay divider 102. For example, a first subset ofthrough openings 104 may comprise two parallel sides with two roundedends arranged such that the two parallel sides align with a top and abottom of vehicle bay divider 102. A second subset of through opening104 may also comprise two parallel sides with two rounded ends arrangedsuch that the two parallel sides align with two vertical sides ofvehicle bay divider 102. A third subset of through openings 104 maycomprises substantially circular openings which, as depicted in FIG. 1 ,may be arranged towards either or both vertical ends of vehicle baydivider 102. Each of the first, second, and third subsets of throughopenings 104 may be incorporated into vehicle bay divider 102. In someembodiments, only one or two of these subsets are incorporated intovehicle bay divider 102. Each of through openings 104 is formed in asurface such than material comprising the edge of each of throughopenings 104 comprises at least one of electrical interface 106A and/or106B. Electrical interface 106A comprises an electronic lead embedded inan edge of through openings 104. The electronic lead is configured toprovide electronic power to a complementary lead of a mountableapparatus. Electrical interface 106B comprises a coil configured toprovide electronic power to a mountable apparatus when the mountableapparatus is arranged within one of through openings 104 or arranged tointerface with an edge of one of through openings 104. Electricalinterface 106B is configured to wireless provide power to the mountableapparatus and may be implemented where there is a risk that repeatedinstallation and removal of the mountable apparatus creates a risk forwearing out or corroding electrical interface 106A.

Vehicle bay divider 102 further comprises edge 110. Edge 110 isconfigured to interface with mounting surface 112. Mounting surface 112corresponds to a surface of a vehicle bay, as depicted in FIG. 7 as partof vehicle 700. In some embodiments, a pair of rails may be secured tomounting surface 112. Mounting anchors 108 are arranged along edge 110and are configured to interface with mounting surface 112 or a featuresecured to mounting surface 112 (e.g., a pair of rails). One of mountinganchors 108 may be configured to slide along a first axis on mountingsurface 112. A second of mounting anchors 108 may comprise a clampingmechanism configured to secure vehicle bay divider 102 in a positionalong mounting surface 112. For example, one or both of mounting anchors108 may comprising a threaded nob or mechanical coupling configured tobe screwed into a hole in a feature secured in mounting surface 112 or ahole directly in mounting surface 112. In some embodiments, one or bothof mounting anchors are configured to clamp onto a feature of mountingsurface 112, such as feature 114 which is depicted as a rail in FIG. 1 .When each of mounting anchors 108 are in a locked configuration, vehiclebay divider 102 is secured along edge 110 such that vehicle bay divider102 is incapable of movement relative to mounting surface 112. In someembodiments, at least one of mounting anchors 108 comprises anelectronic lead configured to interface with a complementary electroniclead in mounting surface 112 (not shown in FIG. 1 , see FIG. 4 ).Additionally, vehicle bay divider 102 may comprise an energy storageapparatus such as a battery assembly which is configured to provideelectric power to each of through openings 104.

FIG. 2 depicts vehicle bay dividers 200A and 200B comprising respectivesubsets of through openings 104, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe disclosure. Vehicle bay dividers 200A and 200B may comprise fewer oradditional elements or features than those depicted in FIG. 2 .Additionally, vehicle bay dividers 200A and 200B may be incorporatedinto, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or all the elementsdepicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1 and 3-10 .

Vehicle bay divider 200A comprises first plurality of through openings202 and second plurality of through openings 204. Each of the openingsof first plurality of through openings 202 comprise a pair of parallelsides aligned with a vertical side of vehicle bay divider 200A and apair of rounded ends. In some embodiments, each of the openings of thefirst plurality of through openings 202 corresponds to a first subset ofthrough openings, each comprising an elongated opening orientedvertically. Each of the openings of second plurality of through openings204 comprise a pair of parallel sides aligned with a horizontal side ofvehicle bay divider 200A and a pair of rounded ends. In someembodiments, each of the openings of the second plurality of throughopenings 204 corresponds to a second subset of through openings, eachcomprising an elongated opening oriented horizontally. The elongatedthrough openings are configured to receive the mountable apparatus(e.g., the securing tabs or mounting pegs of the mountable apparatus),wherein the at least one elongated through opening comprises a pair ofopposing ends configured to couple with at least one mounting peg of themountable apparatus.

Mounted to vehicle bay divider 200A are mountable accessories 206, 208,and 210. Mountable accessory 206 comprises a camera which may becommunicably coupled to a remote device. The remote device may comprisea mobile smart phone which enables a user to control mountable accessory206 (e.g., power on or off, record video, and other related camerafunctions). Mountable accessory 208 comprises a light powered on andpowered off by a push-push assembly. Mountable accessory 210 comprises amounting apparatus which can be rotated into a secured position in oneof the through openings of either of first plurality of through openings202 or second plurality of through openings 204. Each of mountableaccessories 206, 208, and 210 may be mounted to vehicle bay divider 200Aby interfacing with at least one opening from either of first pluralityof through openings 202 and second plurality of through openings 204,depending on the desired orientation of each of the mountableaccessories and the size of the features extending from the mountableaccessories which, when articulated, lock the mountable accessory tovehicle bay divider 200A.

Vehicle bay divider 200B comprises first plurality of through openings202, second plurality of through openings 204, and third plurality ofthrough openings 212. Each openings of third plurality of throughopenings 212 comprises a circular diameter configured to receivesubstantially rounded securing features from mounting apparatuses.Mounted to vehicle bay divider 200A are mountable accessories 208, and210. Each of mountable accessories 206, 208, and 210 may be mounted tovehicle bay divider 200B by interfacing with at least one opening fromany of first plurality of through openings 202, second plurality ofthrough openings 204, and third plurality of through openings 212,depending on whether any of the mountable accessories comprises featuresconfigured to interface with the different shaped through openings.

FIG. 3 depicts vehicle bay divider 300 comprising through openings 302and 304, wherein through openings 304 comprise features 306, inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Vehicle bay divider300 may comprise fewer or additional elements or features than thosedepicted in FIG. 3 . Additionally, vehicle bay divider 300 may beincorporated into, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or allthe elements depicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1,2, and 4-10 .

Through opening 302 comprises a pair of parallel sides and a pair ofrounded ends configured to interface with pegs of a mountable accessory.For example, a peg of a mountable accessory may be shaped to fit intothrough opening 302 and then may be rotated perpendicular to the pair ofparallel sides or may slide towards at least one of the rounded ends tocreate a secure engagement between the mountable accessory and throughopening 302. Each of through openings 304 also comprise pair of parallelsides and a pair of rounded ends configured to interface with pegs of amountable accessory. Additionally, through openings 304 comprisefeatures 306 which act as end stops for a rotating peg of a mountableaccessory and may also be configured as structural elements forsupporting the mountable accessory by increasing the stiffness of thematerial that forms each of openings 304. For example, the addition offeatures 306 may increase the bending strength of vehicle bay divider300 such that a mountable accessory does not plastically or elasticallydeform the material comprising vehicle bay divider 300 (e.g., a heaviermountable accessory may be affixed to vehicle bay divider 300 withfeatures 306 than would be affixed to a vehicle bay divider comprisingonly through opening 302). Features 306 are configured such that throughopenings 304 are structured to withstand a weight of the mountableapparatus and vibrational motion transmitted via the mountable apparatus(e.g., caused by vehicle motion when vehicle bay divider 300 is mountedin a vehicle bay).

FIG. 4 depicts mounting system 400 comprising vehicle bay divider 402which is configured to provide electrical power to mountable accessory420, in accordance some embodiments of the disclosure. Mounting system400 may comprise fewer or additional elements or features than thosedepicted in FIG. 4 . Additionally, mounting system 400 may beincorporated into, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or allthe elements depicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1-3and 5-10 .

Mounting system 400 comprises vehicle bay divider 402, which correspondsto vehicle bay divider 102 of FIG. 1 . Vehicle bay divider 402 comprisesplurality of through opening 404 which interface with power transmitter406. Power transmitter 406 corresponds to an apparatus such aselectrical interface 106A or 106B of FIG. 1 . For example, powertransmitter 406 may be configured for a mechanical connection tomountable accessory 420 by being structured as a plug with electronicleads. In some embodiments, power transmitter 406 may be configured towirelessly charge mountable accessory 420 and does not need a directconnection with mountable accessory 420. Power transmitter comprisescontroller 408, communication circuitry 410 and power converter 412.Controller 407 is configured to direct instruction received viacommunication circuitry 410 such that power is accessed either viavehicle bay divider electric lead 414 and/or power storage device 416.Vehicle bay divider electric lead 414 may be a component of mountinganchor 108 of FIG. 1 . Vehicle bay divider electric lead 414 isconfigured to receive electric power from vehicle mounting surfaceelectric lead 436. Vehicle mounting surface electric lead 436 may beembedded in a mounting surface of front vehicle bay 702 and rear vehiclebay 704 of FIG. 7 , corresponding to a vehicle bay of vehicle 434. Insome embodiments, vehicle mounting surface electric lead 436 may be acomponent of feature 114 of FIG. 1 . Power storage device 416corresponds to a battery apparatus which can retain an electrical chargesuch that vehicle bay divider 402 is a stand-alone power source or canbe used to draw electric power from a vehicle battery. Each ofcontroller 408, power storage device 416, and vehicle bay divider tovehicle power electric coupling 414 are communicably coupled to providea means to regulate the source and amount of electric power 432 to betransmitted via power converter 412 to power processing circuitry 428 ofmountable accessory 420.

Communication circuitry 410 is configured to transmit and receivemessages from mountable accessory 420 and/or remote device 418. Forexample, remote device 418 may correspond to a smart phone, a tablet, ora vehicle communication interface where a user can monitor and adjustthe power supplied to mountable accessory 420. Additionally, mountableaccessory 420 comprises locking mechanism 422 which is communicablycoupled to communication circuitry 424 such that both vehicle baydivider 402 and remote device 418 may receive status updates regardingthe engagement status of mountable accessory 420 as well as the chargingstatus of mountable accessory 420. Communication circuitry 424 oflocking mechanism 422 may transmit and receive information via abilateral communication path with communication circuitry 410 as well asremote device 418. Based at least one of a command received or a statusreceived, communication circuitry 424 interfaces with control circuitry426 to regulate how power processing circuitry 428 handles electricpower 432 received from power converter 412. For example, mountableaccessory 420 may comprises power storage 430 which may be charged viaelectric power 432 or electric power 432 may be directed to a currentfunction of mountable accessory 420. Mountable accessory 420 maycomprise a light or a camera which when mounted to vehicle bay divider402 uses power from power converter 412. In some embodiments, mountableaccessory 420 is configured to function when not mounted to vehicle baydivider 402 and may function using power stored in power storage 430.Remote device 418 may be configured to allow a user to select a chargingmode, a power storage mode, or combination thereof to maximize thefunction of mountable accessory 420. Each of the depicted elements ofmounting system 400 may comprise processors and the like configured tostore a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer readableinstructions to enable either direct or wireless communication betweenthe various elements depicted to execute the functions described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts mountable accessory 500 comprising peg 504 withelectrical feature 506; in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Mountable accessory 500 may comprise fewer or additionalelements or features than those depicted in FIG. 5 . Additionally,mountable accessory 500 may be incorporated into, may interface with,and/or may comprise any or all the elements depicted in, or described inreference to, any of FIGS. 1-4 and 6-10 .

Mountable accessory 500 comprises accessory housing 502. Extending fromaccessory housing 502 is peg 504. In some embodiments, peg 504 comprisesmaterial continuous with accessory housing 502. Peg 504 may beconfigured to slide laterally or rotate, depending on the configurationof a locking mechanism mechanically coupled to peg 504. Embedded in peg504 is electrical feature 506, which is configured to interface withelectrical interface 106A or 106B of FIG. 1 . For example, electricalfeature 506 may comprise an electrical lead configured to interface witha complementary electrical lead embedded one of plurality of throughopenings 104 corresponding to at least one of electrical interface 106Aor 106B of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 depicts vehicle bay dividers 600A and 600B comprising three rowsof through openings 104, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Vehicle bay dividers 600A and 600B may comprise fewer oradditional elements or features than those depicted in FIG. 6 .Additionally, vehicle bay dividers 600A and 600B may be incorporatedinto, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or all the elementsdepicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1-5 and 7-10 .

Vehicle bay divider 600A comprises first row of through openings 602A,second row of through openings 602B, and third row of through openings602C, each of the through openings corresponding to plurality of throughopenings 104 of FIG. 1 . First row of through openings 602A comprisesfirst through opening 608A and second through opening 608B, each withfirst electrical lead 604A arranged on first side 606A and secondelectrical lead 604B arranged on second side 606B. In some embodiments,a first polarity of first electrical lead 604A is different from asecond polarity of second electrical lead 604B. Second row of throughopenings 602B comprises first through opening 610A and second throughopening 610B. First through opening 610 comprises first electricalfeature 612A. Second through opening 610B comprises second electricalfeature 612B. In some embodiments, a first polarity of first electricalfeature 612A is different from a second polarity of second electricalfeature 612B (e.g., both of first electrical feature 612A and secondelectrical feature 612B are configured to interface with a pair ofelectrical leads from a same mountable apparatus to provide electricalpower to the mountable apparatus). Third row of through openings 602Ccomprises first through opening 614A and 614B, each comprisingelectrical interface 106B of FIG. 1 such that each of through openings614A and 614B are configured to wireless provide electronic power to amountable accessory or apparatus.

Vehicle bay divider 600B comprises second row of through openings 602B.Secured to each of through openings 608A and 608B is accessory housing616. Accessory housing 616 comprises peg 618A and 618B. Peg 618Ainterfaces with first electrical feature 612A. Peg 618B interface withsecond electrical feature 612B. In some embodiments, first electricalfeature 612A and second electrical feature 612B have differentpolarities. Accordingly, both peg 618A and 618B must be engaged in theirrespective through openings to enable flow of electric power fromvehicle bay divider 600B to a mountable accessory comprising accessoryhousing 616.

FIG. 7 depicts vehicle 700 comprising front vehicle bay 702 and rearvehicle bay 704, both configured to accommodate at least one of avehicle bay divider or mounting assembly configured to interface withaccessories in a manner similar to the vehicle bay dividers of thepresent disclosure, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Vehicle 700 may comprise fewer or additional elements orfeatures than those depicted in FIG. 7 . Additionally, vehicle 700 maybe incorporated into, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or allthe elements depicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS.1-6, and 8-10 . Arranging a vehicle bay divider in at least one of frontvehicle bay 702 or rear vehicle bay 704 corresponds to an illustrativeembodiment that is not limited by the contents of this disclosure. Oneskilled in the art would appreciate that additional modifications may berequired to either or both of fron vehicle bay 702 or rear vehicle bay704. For example, impact criteria may be defined for a particularvehicle line which may result in corresponding structural modificationsto any or all of the vehicle bay dividers of the present disclosure. Thevarious features, assembly, and embodiments discussed herein may beomitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additionalmodifications or adjustments may be performed without departing from thescope of the invention in order to accommodate various criteria for avehicle bay and assemblies therein (e.g., responsiveness to impacts orother vehicle events). More generally, the above disclosure is meant tobe exemplary and not limiting. Furthermore, it should be noted that thefeatures and limitations described in any one embodiment may be appliedto any other embodiment herein, and flowcharts or examples relating toone embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment in a suitablemanner, done in different orders, or done in parallel. It should also benoted that the embodiments of the inventions of the disclosure may beapplied to, or used in accordance with, other systems and/or methods(e.g., at least those related to vehicle bay dividers and securingaccessories to a vehicle bay divider).

FIG. 8 depicts mountable apparatuses 800A and 800B, each comprising anexemplary locking mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Mountable apparatuses 800A and 800B may comprise fewer oradditional elements or features than those depicted in FIG. 8 .Additionally, mountable apparatuses 800A and 800B may be incorporatedinto, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or all the elementsdepicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1-7, 9, and 10 .

Mountable apparatus 800A comprises accessory housing 812. Arrangedwithin accessory housing 812 are first linkage 802A and second linkage802B. Coupled to first linkage 802A via first pivot point 806A is firstsliding peg 804A. First spring 808A is coupled at one end to firstsliding peg 804A and is coupled at a second end to first anchor 810A.Coupled to second linkage 802B via second pivot point 806B is secondsliding peg 804B. Second spring 808B is coupled at one end to secondsliding peg 804B and is coupled at a second end to second anchor 810B.Arranged towards a center of accessory housing 812 is push-push assembly816. Push-push assembly 816 is configured to engage and disengage thelocking mechanism comprising the components of FIG. 8 by pushing andpulling first linkage 802A and second linkage 802B about pivot points806C and 806D, respectively, such that first sliding peg 804A and secondsliding peg 804B laterally translate towards and away from each of firstanchor 810A and second anchor 810B, respectively. Push-push assembly 816is configured to actuate along axis 818 such that a first input pressespush-push assembly 816 into an engaged position and a second inputpresses push-push assembly 816 into a disengaged position. Arranged oneither side of push-push assembly 816 are guide rods 814. In someembodiments, guide rods 814 comprise externally wound or internallywound springs configured to counter act compression of push-pushassembly 816 in response to either the first or second input. Inresponse to the first input, first sliding peg 804A is configured tomove towards first anchor 810A along sliding axis 820A. In response tothe second input, first sliding peg 804A is configured to move towardspush-push assembly 816 along sliding axis 820A in a direction oppositeto the response to the first input. In response to the first input,second sliding peg 804B is configured to move towards second anchor 810Balong sliding axis 820B. In response to the second input, second slidingpeg 804B is configured to move towards push-push assembly 816 alongsliding axis 820B in a direction opposite to the response to the firstinput.

Mountable apparatus 800B comprises accessory housing 812 with push-pushassembly 816. Push-push assembly 816 may be coupled to an electricallead such that as push-push assembly is first compressed, the electricallead contacts a power source and powers an apparatus, accessory, or toolassociated with mountable apparatus 800B (e.g., a light, a camera, or afan). When push-push assembly 816 is compressed a second time, guiderods 114 of mountable apparatus 800A return push-push assembly 816 to adisengaged position. In some embodiments, both first sliding peg 804Aand second sliding peg 804B move away from push-push assembly 816. Forexample, when viewing push-push assembly 816 along the direction of theactivation of push-push assembly 816 (e.g., into the page of FIG. 8 ),both first sliding peg 804A and second sliding peg 804B may be offsetaxially along the direction of activation.

FIG. 9 depicts peg assembly 900A, and mountable apparatuses 900B, 900C,and 900D, each configured to engage with a through opening in a vehiclebay divider, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Anyof peg assembly 900A, mountable apparatuses 900B, 900C, and 900D maycomprise fewer or additional elements or features than those depicted inFIG. 9 . Additionally, any of peg assembly 900A, mountable apparatuses900B, 900C, and 900D may be incorporated into, may interface with,and/or may comprise any or all the elements depicted in, or described inreference to, any of FIGS. 1-8, and 10 .

Peg assembly 900A comprises latching tabs 902. Latching tabs 902 arecoupled via actuation linkage 904. Actuation linkage 904 is configuredto rotate latching tabs 902 in a clockwise manner when compression force906A is applied to actuation protrusion 908. Compression force 906corresponds to a compression force caused by compressing push-pushassembly 816 of FIG. 8 . Actuation linkage 904 is configured to rotatelatching tabs 902 in a counterclockwise manner when return force 906Bcauses actuation protrusion 908 to translate to an original position(e.g., in response to springs arranged around guide rods 814 returningpush-push assembly 816 to an original position).

Mountable apparatus 900B comprises accessory housing 812 and push-pushassembly 816 of FIG. 8 . Coupled to push-push assembly 816 are leads 910which are configured to provide power to mountable accessory 912 whenpush-push assembly 816 is compressed while mountable apparatus 900B isengaged with at least one of through openings 104 of FIG. 1 . Mountableaccessory 816 may comprise at least one of a securing mechanism, acamera, a light, an environment condition controller, or a tool.Mountable apparatus 900C comprises accessory housing 914 with rotatablelatching tab 916. Mountable apparatus 900C is configured to interfacewith at least one of through openings 104 of FIG. 1 and is configured tobe secured to vehicle bay divider 102 when rotated such that latchingtab 916 is oriented perpendicular to at least one of through openings104.

FIG. 10 depicts vehicle bay divider system 1000 with vehicle bay divider1002 arranged within vehicle bay 1004, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Vehicle bay divider system 1000 maycomprise fewer or additional elements or features than those depicted inFIG. 10 . Additionally, vehicle bay divider system 1000 may beincorporated into, may interface with, and/or may comprise any or allthe elements depicted in, or described in reference to, any of FIGS. 1-9.

Vehicle bay divider system 1000 comprises vehicle bay dividerinstallation assembly 1002 arranged within vehicle bay 1004. Vehicle bay1004 corresponds to either of front vehicle bay 702 or rear vehicle bay704 in FIG. 7 . Door 1006 is arranged to open and close vehicle bay1004. Vehicle bay divider installation assembly 1002 interfaces withstorage surface 1008 of vehicle bay 1004. Storage surface 1008 maycorrespond to a surface of a recessed storage unit or a floor of avehicle enclosure. Vehicle bay divider installation assembly 1002 may besecured to storage surface 1008 using: an interfacing feature of vehiclebay divider installation assembly 1002 configured to be received by arecess in storage surface 1008, a recess in vehicle bay dividerinstallation assembly 1002 configured to receive an interfacing featureextending from storage surface 1008, and/or a combination of fastenersand other securing features.

Vehicle bay divider installation assembly 1002 comprises mountingplatform 1010. Mounting platform 1010 comprises at least one securingfeature (e.g., an extension or recess) configured to interface withstorage surface 1008 to maintain a stable and secure connection betweenmounting platform 1010 and storage surface 1008. Mounting platform 1010comprises guide rails 1012. Guide rails 1012 are recessed into a topsurface of mounting platform 1010 such that a top surface of guide rails1012 do not extend beyond the top surface of mounting platform 1010. Insome embodiments, guide rails 1012 may protrude from the top surface ofmounting platform 1010. Guide rails 1012 may comprise threaded rodsconfigured to interface with mounts 1014 of divider 1016 or may compriseslotted rails configured to guide actuation features of mounts 1014(e.g., wheels). Mounts 1014 are structured to stabilize divider 1016relative to mounting platform 1010 such that divider 1016 is incapableof motion independent of divider 1016. Divider 1016 separates the topsurface of mounting platform 1010 into first storage area 1018 andsecond storage area 1020. First storage area 1018 is depicted asaccommodating a pet. Second storage area 1020 is depicted asaccommodating equipment. A plurality of through openings are on eitherside of divider 1016 and are configured to provide electrical power toaccessories mounted to either side of divider 1016.

The systems and processes discussed above are intended to beillustrative and not limiting. One skilled in the art would appreciatethat the actions of the processes discussed herein may be omitted,modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional actions may beperformed without departing from the scope of the invention. Moregenerally, the above disclosure is meant to be exemplary and notlimiting. Only the claims that follow are meant to set bounds as to whatthe present disclosure includes. Furthermore, it should be noted thatthe features and limitations described in any one embodiment may beapplied to any other embodiment herein, and flowcharts or examplesrelating to one embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment ina suitable manner, done in different orders, or done in parallel. Inaddition, the systems and methods described herein may be performed inreal time. It should also be noted that the systems and/or methodsdescribed above may be applied to, or used in accordance with, othersystems and/or methods.

While some portions of this disclosure may refer to examples, any suchreference is merely to provide context to the instant disclosure anddoes not form any admission as to what constitutes the state of the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a push-push assemblyarranged to be pressed into an engaged position by a first input andarranged to be pressed into a disengaged position by a second input; afirst linkage and a second linkage coupled to the push-push assembly;and a first sliding peg and a second sliding peg respectively coupled tothe first linkage and the second linkage, wherein actuation of thepush-push assembly causes the first sliding peg and the second slidingpeg to translate in opposing directions away from the push-pushassembly, into respective engaged positions for each of the first andsecond sliding pegs.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: afirst spring and a second spring respectively coupled to the firstsliding peg and the second sliding peg, wherein the first spring and thesecond spring are respectively configured to apply opposing springforces to the first sliding base and the second sliding base to causethe first sliding peg and the second sliding peg to translate towardseach other into a disengaged position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a first anchor and a second anchor, wherein the firstand second sliding pegs are configured to be translated towards thefirst anchor and the second anchor, respectively, in response toactuation of the push-push assembly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the first and second anchors comprise respective extensions froma material comprising the accessory housing.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first and second pegs are arranged to extend through aninterior surface of an accessory housing and actuate such that both ofthe first and second pegs contact an edge of at least one throughopening in a vehicle bay divider arranged to receive the first andsecond pegs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first linkage isconfigured to rotate about a first pivot point corresponding to thefirst sliding peg and the second linkage is configured to rotate about asecond pivot point corresponding to the second sliding peg.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one guide rod is arranged withinthe accessory housing and configured to counteract compression achievedvia the push-push assembly.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising at least one spring arranged concentric to the at least oneguide rod, either external to an outer diameter of a housing of the atleast one guide rod or internal to an inner diameter of the housing ofthe at least one guide rod, wherein the at least one spring isconfigured to counteract compression of the push-push assembly.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sliding peg and the secondsliding peg are spaced within an accessory housing according to aspacing of through openings in a complementary vehicle bay divider. 10.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the push-push assembly is coupled to aguide rod configured to return the push-push assembly to a disengagedposition, wherein the disengaged position corresponds to each of thefirst sliding peg and the second sliding peg being translated away froman interface on a vehicle bay divider opening and translated towards acenter axis of the push-push assembly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein a spring, arranged concentric to the guide rod, provides areturn force against the push-push assembly.
 12. A mountable accessorycomprising: an accessory housing; and a locking mechanism comprising: apush-push assembly; and two opposing linkages coupled to the push-pushassembly, wherein the two opposing linkages are coupled to a firstsliding peg and a second sliding peg, respectively, wherein each of thefirst sliding peg and the second sliding peg comprises a respective tabto interface with an edge of a through opening.
 13. The mountableaccessory of claim 12, wherein each of the tabs is configured to rotateperpendicular to an elongated edge of the through opening when thepush-push assembly is actuated.
 14. The mountable accessory of claim 12,wherein the accessory housing comprises an accessory configured tocommunicate with a remote device.
 15. The mountable accessory of claim12, wherein the accessory housing comprises one of a securing mechanism,a camera, a light, an environment condition controller, or a tool. 16.The mountable accessory of claim 12, wherein the push-push assembly isconfigured to actuate perpendicular to the first and second slidingpegs.
 17. The mountable accessory of claim 12, wherein the lockingmechanism further comprises: a first spring arranged between the firstsliding peg and a first anchor; and a second spring arranged between thesecond sliding peg and a second anchor, wherein the first and secondsprings are configured to return the first and second sliding pegs to aninitial position after being displaced in opposing directions.
 18. Themountable accessory of claim 12, wherein at least one guide rod isconfigured to counteract compression of the push-push assembly.
 19. Themountable accessory of claim 12, further comprising a housing configuredto be attached to an accessory apparatus.
 20. A mounting assemblycomprising: a peg board; and a mountable apparatus configured tointerface with the peg board, the mounting apparatus comprising: anaccessory coupled to a locking mechanism, the locking mechanismcomprising a push-push assembly arranged to actuate two opposinglatching tabs, wherein the two opposing latching tabs are coupled viatwo respective linkages to the push-push assembly.